Perioperative analgesic effects of preemptive ultrasound-guided subcostal transversus abdominis plane (TAP) block for percutaneous nephrolithotomy: a prospective, randomized trial.

Background and Objectives: Percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) is a minimally invasive procedure for removing kidney stones, but patients still suffer from moderate postoperative pain. The aim of this study is to evaluate the perioperative analgesic effect of ultrasound-guided subcostal transversus abdominis plane (TAP) block performed before PCNL procedure. Materials and Methods: Patients scheduled for elective PCNL were randomized into two groups: Group TAP and Group IV. General anesthesia was induced with propofol, fentanyl, and rocuronium and maintained with sevoflurane, fentanyl, and rocuronium. Unilateral ultrasound-guided TAP block was performed with total of 30 mL volume of local anesthetic solution (20 mL bupivacaine 0.125% plus 10 mL lidocaine 1%) after intubation but before surgery to the Group TAP patients. Paracetamol 1 g was given to the Group IV. Tramadol 100 mg and morphine IV-patient-controlled analgesia were applied to both groups. Perioperative fentanyl consumption, postoperative verbal analog scale (VAS), morphine consumption, and additional analgesic drug requirement were assessed. Chi square with Yates correction and Mann-Whitney U tests were used for statistical analysis. Results: Eighty patients were assessed for enrollment. One patient developed septicemia at the recovery room so data of 79 patients were collected for statistical analysis. Total morphine consumption at 48th hour after the surgery was lower at Group TAP (p = 0.022). Perioperative fentanyl consumption was lower at Group TAP (p < 0.001). Additional analgesic requirement and VAS were comparable between groups. Conclusions: Preemptive unilateral ultrasound-guided subcostal TAP block decreases perioperative fentanyl and postoperative total morphine consumption in PCNL patients compared to IV analgesic management.